Russell Westbrook’s long wait for a new squad has finally ended, as the 2017 MVP has signed with the Sacramento Kings.
He had to be a bit patient, but Russell Westbrook‘s return to the NBA is getting the royal treatment.
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Westbrook has agreed to a deal with the Sacramento Kings, who will host his 18th NBA season. Westbrook, who turns 37 in November, spent last year with the Denver Nuggets and, according to Charania, will sign a one-year, $3.6 million veteran’s minimum contract.
Best-known for his work with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-19), which includes an MVP run in 2017, Westbrook has become one of the most statistically accomplished backcourt talents in NBA history since entering as the fourth pick of the 2008 NBA Draft out of UCLA.
With 75 more assists, for example, Westbrook will become the eighth Association rep to dish out 10,000 in his career, an illustrious list that already includes LeBron James, Magic Johnson, and all-time leader John Stockton. Among active players, Westbrook ranks in the top 10 in assists, points, rebounds, and steals. Westbrook is also the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles at 203.
Though it was off from what he was putting up in his prime, Westbrook made sterling contributions as a Nugget last year, averaging 13.3 points and 6.1 assists in 75 appearances (36 starts) en route to giving the eventual champion Thunder all they could handle in a seven-game conference semifinal set.
“He’s going to play in attack mode,” Nuggets head coach David Adelman said after Westbrook put forth a clutch in the postseason opener against another former employer, the Los Angeles Clippers, per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. “I don’t think he’s going to change after 17 years. If he sees somebody in front of him one-on-one, he’s going to attack.”
Westbrook, who has also spent time with Houston, Washington, and both Los Angeles clubs, now joins a Sacramento group fresh off a Play-In Tournament disappointment. Part of the reason for their early elimination was perhaps trading off a good bit of their depth at the trade deadline, which acquired Zach LaVine and the since-departed Jonas Valanciunas.
Charania’s report notes that Westbrook has “bonds” with Sacramento stars LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis while also bringing up his Oklahoma City history with fellow California capital newcomer Dennis Schroder. The Kings are entering a new era with Scott Perry as general manager and Doug Christie embarking on his first tour as full-time head coach.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
